Victory Over Demons

Subject: "Victory Over Demon"

Text: Mark 5:1-20

Introduction: We have talked about Victory Over Danger. We witnessed the power of God calming the raging sea. Today, we will witness God's power calming a raging, demon possessed spirit within a man. Jesus came to bring us victory in every area of life. Luke's gospel reveals the intent of Jesus' earthly ministry.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:18, 19

Jesus' ministry came to touch the things that really matter; Inside things, hidden things, tormenting things which disturb our peace and contentment. There is victory for the poor, dealing with the demon of poverty; Victory for the brokenhearted, dealing with the demon of disappointment; Victory for the captives, dealing with the demon of bondage. There is victory for the blind, dealing with the demon of sightlessness. There is victory for the bruised, dealing with the demons of inner hurts and wounds. There is victory over all these demonic forces. Victory begins by believing and receiving the message that this is the acceptable year of the Lord. The whole ministry Jesus dealt with releasing men from satanic bondage, demonic oppression and slavery.

Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy! Satan comes to oppress the mind with defeated thought. Satan goal is to thwart the image of God in man. He realizes that each of us is created in the image and likeness of God and is designed to live lives glorying God. He knows that we have been called to walk worthy of vocation wherewith we are called. So, he will sends satanic attacks to steal your peace, to kill your godly ambitions and finally destroy the unity of the family, the church and the community.

I want you to see 7 signs that Satan is at work in a person’s life, and then I want to show you 3 signs that God is working to free us from that kind of destiny. These 7 signs spell out the word… S.A.T.A.N.I.C. S… SELF-DESTRUCTIVE Actions; A… AUTHORITY Problems; T…Total Hatred of Christ; A… ANGUISH and Restlessness; N…NAKEDNESS and Uncleanness; I… INCLINATION towards death; and C… Cut Off Relationships.

In Gadara, Satan attacked one man in one family in the town and wrecked the whole community. But Satan not only attacked the man, He overcame him and finally possessed him. The family unity was broken, the husband and father was driven into the hill. The community was terrorized, and it looked like the demons had won, but Jesus of Nazareth was to pass that way. The demons of life will not have the last word. Jesus is still in the rescue business. Now the Bible doesn’t tell us how this man became to be demon possessed? I could only find one story in the Bible that dealt with HOW someone came to be demon possessed. He was the first king of Israel. A man named Saul and in his life “Rebellion” opened the door for Saul’s demon possession.

In Mark 5, somewhere in this man’s life, he had made a conscious decision that he wanted to be free. He wanted to be free of God’s influence. He wanted to be free from restrictions and responsibilities of life. He wanted to be free to do what he wanted to do. And now, as a demoniac, he’s become free…No shackle can bind him, no chain can hold him. He’s no longer bound by social standards that tell him how to dress and or how to behave. He has no responsibilities to society - because society no longer wants him. He has become totally free…His total freedom has led to total bondage.

In passing let me say that after you experience a great victory over dangerous storms of life, prepare for another fight. The command is, "having done all to stand, stand therefore." Jesus and the disciples had conquered the storm at sea. Peter had even walked on the water, but as soon as the boat lands at Gadara, they are confronted with a demonized maniac.

Every case will not be easily solved. We must have the guidance of God to help those who are demonized. Without the God guidance, we may do more harm than good. In our lesson, many tried to contain, control or manage him using their own ideas, and strategies. Their efforts left the man in worst condition. They left him physically bound but spiritually tormented. Deep seated problems call for deep solutions. This man is an example of any and every sinner who is hooked up in something and they cannot break themselves free. They really want to be free. This man had neither peace nor contentment. The demoniac is free from restraint… but miserable. Notice he sees Jesus at a distance and he runs to Jesus. I don’t know how he knows that Jesus can heal his life - but he knows. AND HE RUNS TO Jesus. He’s tired of living in bondage so, he runs to Jesus.